Everything the expectant mother needs to know about childbirth, from one of the foremost experts in the field.Childbirth is one of the most important and powerful events in a woman's life - and yet many women look back on it as an ordeal. Sheila Kitzinger, acknowledged around the world as an expert in the psychological, social and physiological aspects of birth, has rewritten her first book for today's women.Herself a mother of five, all born at home, she b...

For thousands of years women have given birth among people they know in a place they know well. Knowledge is shared and birth is a social event. In northern industrial societies today, when a women gets pregnant she may be presented with various options. Yet if it is her first baby she has only the vaguest idea of how birth feels and how other women cope. Birth is set apart from the rest of women's lives and accepted as a matter of specialist knowledge. To discuss birth only in terms of ou...

Birth statistics from the Office for National Statistics show that more women than ever before become mothers later in life. The trend is also backed up by figures from other countries around the world. In developed countries there is an upsurge in the age of mothers giving birth for the first time, and in the UK alone there are now more first-time mothers giving birth in the 30-34 age group than in the 25-29 age group. There is also a 50% increase from 10 years ago in the number of women ...

This title includes Foreword by Sheila Kitzinger, Writer, Researcher, Activist and Honorary Professor, Wolfson School of Health Sciences, Thames Valley University. Birth centres are suitable for every woman whose birth is straightforward, which accounts for around 75 per cent of all women. This inspirational guide shows how small scale maternity provision has a profound clinical and organisational advantage over large scale hospital provision, including saving of time and money by reducing...

One new mother in twenty is diagnosed with traumatic stress after childbirth. In Birth Crisis Sheila Kitzinger explores the disempowerment and anxiety experienced by these women. Key topics discussed include:increasing intervention in pregnancythe shift in emphasis from relationships to technology in childbirthhow family, friends and professional caregivers can reach out to traumatized mothershow women can work through stress to understa...

In an age where birth has often been overtaken by obstetrics, Dr Dick-Read's philosophy is still as fresh and relevant as it was when he originally wrote this book. He unpicks every possible root cause of western woman's fear and anxiety in pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding and does so with overwhelming heart and empathy. Essential reading for all parents-to-be, childbirth educators, midwives and obstetricians!With a foreword by Michel Odent."A brilliant, courage...

A book on pregnancy loss, dispelling the myths about miscarriage and stillbirth.'Invaluable for those dealing with pregnancy loss - medically and emotionally' Dr Devora Lieberman, MD, MPH, FRANZCOG, gynaecologist and fertility specialist When a pregnancy fails, grieving parents often wonder why no one mentioned it could happen. Yet one in every four women will experience miscarriage or stillbirth. Mother of two and health writer Zoe taylor has survived repeated pregnancy losses. In ...

Women are over four times more likely to have a caesarean birth now than they were thirty years ago and eight times more likely than they were fifty years ago. One of the main reasons that the rate is so high is that women are not encouraged to give birth vaginally once they have had a caesarean despite there being no evidence of the benefit of repeat caesareans for mother or child.Aimed at women who have had a caesarean or repeat caesareans, Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC) provides s...

The Back Pain Personal Health Plan: Bounce Back Edition explains how to apply new and simple strategies to increase flexibility, strengthen the spine and surrounding muscles using functional and effective exercises. It will help you to build confidence and break the fear that holds back pain sufferers from taking part in sports and activities. The book was written for everyone who is struggling with neck and back pain in their everyday life, and for people who have tried all sorts...

What do a Dutch university lecturer, a US Marine, a Scottish artist, and an English engineer have in common? They have all experienced the transformative power of home birth, and their stories - and many others - are told in this groundbreaking book. As hospital-based maternity services become increasingly medicalised, more and more parents are deciding that birth belongs in the home. For many women, this choice may be an easy one, but for their partners, home birth raises some serious questi...

Home Birth is essential reading for all couples considering having their baby at home. Striking a perfect balance of practical information, compelling personal stories and research evidence, leading childbirth educator Nicky Wesson shows how giving birth to your baby in your own home can be the most exciting and fulfilling thing you ever do. 4th completely revised and updated edition.'This guide claims to be "the only book you'll need for planning a birth at home". If anything, this is ...